Don Imus – fired. What should happen next?

CBS pulled the plug on the popular talk radio host Don Imus after his ill-fated “nappy headed ho’s” reference to the Rutger’s women’s basketball team. Obviously, apologies WEREN’T enough, as advertisers ran away from the controversy. What do you think needs to happen next?

CBS firing Imus is a load of $@%%. It’s no wonder CBS has a bunch of crappy shows, their management cannot make a good decision to save their lives….. If people would stop listening to the “Bandwagon Bozo’s” that were calling for his dismissal, they would have time enough to ask what happened to the person that started the conversation. Why does that person not have to endure this stupidity from the “black community” (the quotes are because there is no such thing)? I doubt that the statement made was intended the way the media has protrayed it. Which makes all of those idiots, showing their faces on TV, the ones that should be fired for harrassment or defamation of character, or some other stupid accusation that isn’t real.

Scott Johnson

I guess CBS should probably just give Al Sharpton a job as CEO. They’re apparently all set to let him and his followers run the place.

msw

Imus should have been fired, after all, he is an expert in his field. He got too comfortable in his position. Now’s the time for a new voice. MSNBC and CBS should be commended for their decision.

Mike

There needs to be a loud, resounding, soul-searching debate amoung the Black American community about how freely and easily this type of language is used within hip-hop/rap/popular culture.

There is more than one story here and Mr. Imus’ firing, however expedient for CBS, should not be then end of the debate.

Like I’ve said in other forums, the first time I heard the expressions “nappy-headed”, “Hos” and “Bitches” as common references to Blacks **was from Blacks**.

John Bull

I think Snoop Doggy Dog should be fired from his record label next for calling Don Imus an “old ass white man” I take offense to that.

John Bull

Here is the exact Snoop Doggy Dog quote, from a story on MTV.com:

“Admittedly, Snoop and some of his peers have called women “b—-es” and “ho’s” in their lyrics, but as the Dogg put it Tuesday afternoon (April 10), there is no parallel to what Imus said.

“It’s a completely different scenario,” said Snoop, barking over the phone from a hotel room in L.A. “[Rappers] are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. We’re talking about ho’s that’s in the ‘hood that ain’t doing sh–, that’s trying to get a n—a for his money. These are two separate things. First of all, we ain’t no old-ass white men that sit up on MSNBC [which announced Wednesday it would drop its simulcast of Imus’ radio show] going hard on black girls. We are rappers that have these songs coming from our minds and our souls that are relevant to what we feel. I will not let them mutha—-as say we in the same league as him.”

Dick Gilmore

The firing of Imus is a start–an attention getter–but until a couple dozen prominent black comedians and rappers get the message, society has a long way to go. We all need to learn basic respect for all others.

Mike

Don Imus is a martyr. He shows that free speech not longer exists. Sharpton and Jesse Jackson don’t do anything until someone uses words that hurt their little feelings.

Doesn’t anyone know how to turn off the radio if they don’t like what they hear? Instead, we get a group of people crying because someone hurt their feelings.

What a double insult on those Rutgers girls to. If those were white girls, no one would have made a thing of it. Just shows how people still don’t think blacks can make it in this world witout immense amounts of help.

I hope another network hires Imus and gives the man his job back.

If a black radio host were to have called Imus a cracker, redneck honkey I doubt anyone would have called for the black’s ouster.

People need to get over it. How about Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton worry about getting gansta rappers to stop influencing black kids in the ghetto. Then, maybe they’ll stop killing each other and whites won’t look down on them as much.

rodolfo

I think that the whole thing has gone too far!….Imus should have been given 2 weeks off, then rehired…..
If I owned a radio station, he could work for me….
I’m tired of people like Sharpton and J. Jackson dictating what I should think or not think…what I should watch or not watch….
They should take care of themselves. They are not good people. They have many skeletons in THEIR closets….

The North Carolina/Duke Univ. case was much more serious than this case was….
There was plenty of racism there–
black against white…..
Those 3 students were treated light-years more unfairly than those Rutgers students….
Shame in the media! Shame on CBS, NBC, and Imus’s sponsors….
Shame on America!….
I feel sorry for Imus….

John Bull

Oh yeah, Isiah Washington from Grey’s Anatomy needs to be fired as well, for his homophobic remarks. C’mon.

Anonymous

I’ve never listened to Don Imus’ show so I don’t really care whether he’s on air or not. However, from what I’ve gathered about this particular incident, I think the whole outcry has been a total overreaction. It’s another case of hypersensitivity gone completely rampant. Don’t fool yourselves into thinking it’s about racism or support for the social advancement of underprivileged women. It’s about power and control in the TV and radio market. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the like along with a HUGE constituent in the mainstream media make names for themselves by looking for incidents of falsesteps and misspeak, and subsequently calling for boycotts and firings. Shouldn’t we be able to judge for ourselves whether or not something someone says is offensive and furthermore whether we will continue to listen and support that? The encouraging thing is we can. With the slew of media outlets and self-publishing forums, there are more opportunites for individuals to share opinions, right or wrong, than there are miserable blokes like Jackson to try and permanently censor them.

Sharon

What NEEDS to happen next is s little more common human decency in public discourse. But unfortunately, the common human decency our parents taught us is out of style, smeared by the oh-so-moral right wing as “political correctness.” So instead, what WILL happen is that Imus will be picked up by a right-wing talk-radio syndicate for broadcast or satellite, and he’ll be encouraged to spew even more of the race-baiting garbage for the enjoyment of their blue-collar white male target audience.

mairi

What baloney.

Robert Pape

Political correctness wins out again. Although limits in name calling might have been exceeded, a two week suspension was justified. Pulling Imus permanently is a poor move in light of Imus’ history on radio of satire, cynicism, and societal commentary for the last 30 + years on radio. This is his schitk. This is was has made him popular and brought high ratings for the stations and networks that aired him. This is nothing new. Imus has offended people and guests on his show for years, but that is only part of the story. He has also been entertaining , informative, and provocative. This is an overreaction by CBS to the whining of a few. CBS should cancel some of its other programming drivel like Survivor, Don Imus will reappear on the airways, he is too talented and he has the courage to admit he was wrong, but this is not a hangable offence.

Mark

Theater for the masses .
Imus, Sharpton and Jackson aren’t stupid.
They all know what time it is

charlotte crawford

This whole incident has gotten so out of control, I am embarrassed. I have watched this man and listened to him for the last several years, including the day he made the nasty comment, and I took it for what it was, a lame joke. Suspension, maybe, fired no!

Howie

Why are people pretending that this decision was of major significance?

Imus’ show gets a 0.2 rating.

He has no listeners.

The whole story is pretty irrelevant to the landscape of media and society.

Erick

It’s amazing Imus would be fired by CBS. I believe a heavy suspension and fine would have been good enough. Everyday MTV aires “Hip Hop” videos in which the wrong message is being sent to young african american youth. The rap community and artists have shown such a lack of respect for anyone outside of there race and there own….Watch BET for an hour and count how many racial comments toward white america…

Gary

Double standards,Double standards. Has anyone asked Al Sharpton lately about his “pet-name” for the jewish communites in New York?

MT

Last time I checked which was today, what the hell does Jesse Jackson do for a living anyway? I mean seriously! The answer to that is feeding off his own people. It’s all about politics for this fella. Last time I checked on that too, he’s still a piece of glass and I guess his record shows it. Didn’t this fella have a child out of wetlock that we found out about how many years later? But oh! it’s Jesse; he must have just had a momentary lapse of reason right?

Ron

What are the odds of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton going after the rappers and their music and vidoes with the same effort and intensity they did Imus? If they don’t and I don’t think they will, would they not being showing racism against whites? Always a double standard.

TM

This is ALL about taking “whitey” down. So called minority leaders in America care only about getting so-called reparations for slavery still to this day. This entire thing is about white guilt on the part of CBS and NBC and angry black Americans who want money and power because of slavery. Until we are ready to admit that then none of this will help the attitudes between white and black in America and institutions will continue to crumble in front of our eyes. Truly a sad, sad day in America. We the people need to stop whining as Imus said and start doing something to stem the tide or else one day we will wake up and be living in western Europe in terms of moral compass and I believe that most Americans do not want to go there.

Let’s stand and fight these people (race baiters and anti-capitalists) with the same vigor we do the radical Muslims who want our way of life to die. If we don’t then we’ll have to tell our kids someday that it’s our fault that America is no longer the greatest country in the history of the world.

Real. Truth. Peace.

Tom

To begin with, when did Jackson and Sharpton become examples of morality. Their careers have been based on always blaming the other person for the plight of the black community, and publicly using derogatory terms for whites, Jews, Hispanics, Asians. Talk about prejudice…they have colorful terms for anyone who isn’t black.

I’m all about freedom of speech; however freedom of speech does not include speech or action that are intended to incite violence or defame other people. But that’s exactly the mssage communicated in many rap and hip-hop songs. No wonder why society is plagued with increasing violent crime and the complete lack of respect to fellow mankind. It’s time to give the music industry an enema!

Oh, and nice comment Carol (#12). Leave it to someone to through polical and social labels into the dialogue. Carol, this has nothing to do with right vs left wingers! This is a racial and moral decency issue. Stop conveniently throwing labels at everything to fit the world into your narrow definition of things. Get a clue!

Truthy

I apologize for being white. How dare I parade around with my racist white skin showing? My life of privilege and unfair advantage has kept so many people from getting a fair shake. Mr. Sharpton has shown me that I am to blame for ALL problems that any person of color has ever had. The shame is overwhelming.

Big Bit

I agree that Imus should be fired, lashed, drawn and quartered. His entrails should then be fed to the coyotes. How dare a white person use the vernacular of the black community?

Laughing Stock

When a African American cries “WOLF” you can be certain that the NCAAP, Rainbow Coalition, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson will be there for media coverage, money and hatred.

Isn’t it time we start WET ?

Kandace

He should have been fired I wouldn’t support give a dime of my money to support a man who degrads women with the name “hoe” You know how you can stop rappers who use that stop buying their cd’s because actually it’s been said by both men multiple times how degrading rap music has become. It’s such a shame that adults can justify his statements because of past wrong. Two wrongs have never made a right. Jesse Jackson did face repercussions after his racial slur. Before that he was a viable presidental canidate. I’m just shocked that just because Imus says something you can justify it by saying it comes there community. No self-respecting women can be called that and take it lightly. It is so emotionally immature to refer to this as a double standard. Truly it’s not as rap music was never elected the speaker of the black community nor Al sharpton or Jesse JAckson.

John

Imus will sign a multi million dollar contract with the new XM/Sirius Corp. MS-NBC will have Alex Witt(Who?) reading the news, complete with her goofy inflections.

T

“This is only the beginning” according to Jackson and Sharpton. They named M. Savage, R. Limbaugh, and S. Hannity as violaters of racial correctness on the air. So, does Jack-ton or Sharp-son mean to suggest that they are going to demand that all conservative talk radio hosts be fired and only “progressive” voices will have jobs in radio and TV ? Do they realize that Don Imus is a LIBERAL ?

Next up, Malik Shabaaz as host of his own show on Fox News Chaneel. Great.

brian

A black guy, a mexican, and a jew walk into a bar… what? Too soon?

Jim

This was Imus game, for 20 years, nothing new! Few people heard the original remark, but the sensationalistic media made it a rallying cry for social injustice.

Never did like Imus, never listened. Where are Sharpton and Jackson now that those white Duke athletes have been found not guilty? Whoa! I thought you were innocent till proven guilty.

Like Imus these are all just actors playing a role with a gullible media looking for the next big injustice!

x

This country needs both sides of the picture. Imus represents one of those sides so we can focus on what reality is all about. America needs Imus’ if we are to venture into this “Freedom” thing. Corporate America is manipulative, and speculatively greedy!

Arthur Marsh

McGuirk, the Executive Producer of Imus in the Morning, should get the boot too. He referred to the Rutger’s team as ‘Jigaboos’ on the air. And where I grew up that is a direct reference to African-Americans. It’s as bad as the the N word.

John

I believe a significant number of statements that have a derogatory and racially
inflamatory nature have become a part of pop culture humor in this country have their
foundations in the modern day black community culture.

Hip hop, comedy, and many other forms of popular media have trained the youth culture
that statements such as that made by Don Imus are humorous.

With that said, we ought to take a long hard look at ourselves and assess why
there is a double standard here. Last week Craig Ferguson made a statement that
the same group of ladies were a bunch of strapping looking lads. I don’t see Sharpton or the
basketball team stating that this comment took away their joy in their achievements and hard work.

I grew up in a lower socio economic area of San Diego where white people were
a small part of the total demographic, and even then knew it was ok to laugh with my
black, Mexican, and asian friends over stereotype humor, but never as a white man
was it ok to make a racial stereotype joke (other than against my own race).

Don Imus made what he thought was a humorous statement based off of imitating pop culture, and is a fall guy
for the NAACP bull dogs who are like ambulance chasing lawyers in my opinion. Until
we as a society address the foundations of this humor and either get some thicker skin
or spread a standard for everyone, this is a pattern doomed to be repeated with people like
Imus becoming victims and not true villains. This man has done a lot of good with philanthropic
endeavers which doesn’t demonstrate someone who holds contempt for the black community at his core.

When is an apology enough?

Larry

I don’t hear rappers call any black women “nappy-headed ho’s”. The term “nappy-headed” was used by whites to describe blacks throughout history, starting during the slavery days. The term “ho(s)” is used by rappers to describe women who fit a certain image regardless of color. Imus cleary let his real feelings be known and if thats how he feels than he should be fired. Anyone who is human can see how hurtful those comments were. His firing had nothing to do with Rev Al or Jesse Jackson, it was about taking a stand against racism towards a people that have had to endure this kind of treatment for hundreds of years.

Mike

What should happen next is the all white people should be moved to Canada so Al “I’m really a Reverend” Sharptongue and Jesse “I’m an adulterer” Jackasson! Next we will rid the world of the hidious Hip-Hop culture even though it is used to empower the black community! Come on folks!! This is absolutely the craziest situation I have ever seen.

Forrest

Black Rappers use the N-word and call their women b****** in many songs every day without charges. One comment by Imus and he gets fired. What duplicity and insanity!

Universalwriter

It’s a new day! The decision of NBC and CBS to fire Don Imus was totally justified. Everyone who is claiming “Al Sharpton – Jesse Jackson” are totally mislead. If you paid attention to the Jeff Zucker’s TV interviews it was clearly a decision that was made due to the employee’s of NBC coming to him, employees like Al Roker and others, as well as MAJOR sponsors. This is a world built on money. When giant advertisers like Proctor & Gamble pull-out, one has to think twice. Also, this man has made comments like this for years. The fact that he chose to degrade a group of young black women who had done nothing to him was ludicrous. This is the fall-out for his comments. It’s a good thing to me, as now perhaps this country can begin communicating and YES that includes Snoop-Dogg, Jay-Z and 50 cent and any other person who behaves in the same manner. Like I said – it’s a new day!

Danny

bottom line- Imus is a racist! He doesnt belong on the public airwaves.

Nacchiocheez

The Hippocracy of the left continues to grow. If anyone is offended by what he said then why does rap music get a pass??? Because Rap is seen as income for blacks. The content does not matter as long as these so-called artists can support their gangbanging lifestyles. Just another example of reverse raceism.

Brian

Jesse Jackson was NEVER a viable presidential candidate. NEVER.

He’s an extortionist and a race-baiting bigot, plain and simple. He and Sharpton are what’s wrong with race relations, not an example of moral courage and conviction. In their words and actions every day, they betray the legacies of Dr King and Fredrick Douglas.

I am indirectly employed by one of the organizations in question and will have to admit that I am HORRIBLY ashamed of their actions.

Imus was wrong; plain and simple. He deserved to be rebuked and reprimanded. But firing Don Imus was cowardly and rewarded the absolute WORST of us.

Please send Jackson and Sharpton over to Iraq to tour the markets in central Bagdad…only leave McCain’s military escort in the Emerald City. I can’t imagine how much better off America would be without those 2 to stir the pot.

If the African American community wants a better lot in life then they need to demand better leadership than these 2 offer.

cb jm

I believe you can find a case on both sides that will satisfy your agenda. Ownership of this trash talking belongs to CBS, NBC or any of the media who allow this to happen. When will they act like they care about this country and its people? Everything is bottom line and if trash talk makes money it does two things it dummies us down and fills their pockets.

jon

What about Al Sharpton. He said some hateful, sexist, and possible raciest comments about the Duke students? When does he get his due? Oh wait, he’s black, never mind then. What a big joke!

telli

#24, 26 you are a bigot also. Imus should have been fired a lot sooner. It shouldn’t matter what Sharpton and Rev. Jackson have done in the past. You can’t say racist and sexist things on the radio.
Even if you are a white man, you should be offended that people are saying these very ignorant things. Oh yeah, for number 26 it’s NAACP and the rainbow coalition doesn’t have anything to do with black people, just homosexual. Don’t you think you should understand something before you criticize it?

mark

Count me as a white male in favor of the firing. He made his racist and sexist comment, and there are consequences. Nobody is perfect, but someone with a wide radio audience has a responsibility to respect human dignity. If his apology is sincere, he will change profoundly and maybe merit a comeback. Look at how George Wallace changed.

Art

He needed to go, just like Jimmy the Greek and Howard Cosell. People need to stop using racist remarks over the airways.

Joe

Let’s admit a couple of things:
1) Don Imus’comments were insulting and without a doubt wrong. Just for that, he needs to be let go
2) Those who claim that it is a first ammendment issue need to be listened to for the overall concept but they are missing the point. You have the right to say ANYTHING, but it’s the way you say it. We have allowed the deterioration of decency to walk on the 1st ammendment. Imus’ rant was not something against a government or a comment against wrong. He made a stupid and insulting comment. For that he needs to lose his job.
3) Now that Imus has lost his job, are we,as a society, going to hold those who do the same thing to the same standard. Will we call for the firing of everyone who calls women ‘ho’ of every person who used the n-word regardless of race, or any black person who uses the work cracker when refering to a white or hispanic who calls someone anglo?

We damn well better. We just bought something quite expensive. I hope to see Rev.’s Jackson and Sharpton working to clean up the acts of some of the black entertainment community because words like ‘ho became popular through the use in that gendre.

If anyone wants promote decency on the airways, they need to make sure their own house is clean FIRST.

Frank in Boulder

I’m just a nappy-headed ho who thinks all this is ridiculous. Imus should not have been fired. And the Rutgers player that claimed she’s been scarred for life? Angel, you better get a thicker skin – cause once you get out in the real world you’re gonna need it.

Andrea

What Imus said was absolutely WRONG in my opinion, however he IS allowed to have an opinion. What most fail to realize is that the people who were signing Imus’ paychecks are also allowed an opinion and they voiced that by firing him for the comments he made in regard to that women’s basketball team. NO ONE SHOULD BE PAID FOR VOICING THEIR HATE MESSAGE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, DO IT ON YOUR OWN TIME!

Jet

I think Imus’s biggest problem (aside from being a biggot) was going to Sharpton to apologise. That was the funniest thing I ever heard. One biggot apologising to another biggot for saying biggoted things. I don’t like Imus, but I thing his best play would have been to say, “Listen, it was supposed to be a joke. Obviously it didn’t work. If you’re offended then you’re too sensitive and probobly wouldn’t like the rest of my material. So turn off your radio and go join a support group.”

Jill

GOOD! FIRE HIS BUTT!

What should happen next?

Well, the debate should continue . . . Don has been appropriately punished for this particular action. I’m glad someone finally spanked Don Imus. We need to self-govern like this more often. He has been given a priviledge and an avenue to make fun of, demean, insult and be JUST PLAIN MEAN to and about people he doesn’t even know. He objectifies and, lazily, allows himself to spew whatever mean-spirited GUFFAW he can come up with off the top of his head. Granted, there is a market for this meanness. Deprecating humor has been accepted and laughed about since the kindergarten playground. But, GEEZ, does NO ONE remember those days? Those days when kids could become mob-like and all of us wished, truly in our hearts, that someone could get them to just stop being mean?

How can someone be so self-involved and indulgent as to NOT take a moment to think that what they say out loud may hurt someone’s feelings . . . and then, how can they not take just ONE more moment and stop from saying something that would hurt someone’s feelings???

And, do we REALLY think he’s sorry? I think he’s just trapped and has to say what he has to say. Below is his quote, showing that he’ll play for a while but he’s “not going to play forever.”

“So, and there’s a lot of stuff that we can do, but at some point, I stop playing. So I don’t deserve to be fired. And I am not going to be fired without consequences. So, I should be punished and I’m being punished and not insignificantly, by the way. I’m not whining, because I don’t feel as bad as those kids feel, and I’ve said that several times. But, I’m not going to play forever. ”

Play WHAT?, Don? This isn’t a game. We are people! Do you also scream at the top of your lungs at someone driving on the road in front of you? Then, when you pull along side and realize that she’s a little old lady driving the speed limit, do you feel bad for a little moment? Can’t we, instead, WORK ON PERSONIFYING rather than objectifying people? Can’t we ALL think of strangers in this world as someone’s sister, mother, grandmother?

We are eroding our respect for one another. We don’t have to like what other folks do, look like, think . . . but we SHOULD respect all life on this planet and make OUR OWN decisions accordingly.

While I don’t agree at ALL with Rev Sharpton’s sensationalization of the racism, I still have to TAKE A STAND AGAINST MEANNESS in general.

USVet

It’s not how is was said,
It’s what was said…..
The sad thing is as males we all have Moms, Aunts, Sisters,
Neices & etc. As males some of have Wifes, Girlfriends, Daugthers & so on. As people we often have females as friends, at work, school, church & ect. So to
charcarteiorze any female as Ho’s is inexcusable. Then to differeniate by Race makes it( Racist). Let’s not forget, that he also has a (wife, and daugthers). I’m sure he wouldn’t want anybody (let alone himself), refering to his female family members as “Ho’s,. Not in the least as “white Ho’s”.
Yes, unfortancely Mr. Imus needed to be let go. And
the arugment about rappers (white, black,& latino), using the word, is not witstanding. The word (whore or Ho),is used in the Movies, and sometimes on TV. The question is how do we take all negitive conotations out of the english language??? Maybe we can’t. But we have to be considerate of feelings when we utter “things” for the sake of jokes, comedy & commetary. And to all those people out there who feel that what he said wasn’t that big of a deal. Try calling your, Mom, wife, daugther, female friend, or better yet your neighbor’s wife, or daugther a “Ho”. (see what happends)… XX_Ranch

keith maranville

When will the post be firing this ostro woman for calling bill oriely a racist.Since when does refering to illegal immigrants as illegal immigrants make someone a racist.
When they caught this woman in the parking lot she had no basis for calling him a racist and should be fired like Imus.
If you are going to make false accusations about someone in the paper you should have facts to back it up and she clearly did not
Just another embaressing black eye for all of denver but mostly the denver post.

MT

Laughing Stock,
WET is every channel on TV other than BET! Get real!

Sharon

Long ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have put a stop to the rappers degrading of women. The black youth have brought this upon themselves, and like so many comments before me, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson need real jobs instead of being leaches off their own brothers. Imus only repeated what the rappers say, as I am told since I cannot stand to listen to that noise and would never watch their vulgarity on TV. Our children need to listen to calming good music if we are not to repeat the fall of the Rome Empire.

Sharon

This debate is sadly amusing. The same people who defend the “freedom of speech” of a man who denigrates black college students would then scream bloody murder that Robert Mapplethorpe’s depiction of Christ suspended in urine should be banned from the planet. All these right-winhgers who fulminate against Christian-bashing in the mass media are too blind to see that they have created the climate for that bashing by allowing the Imuses of the world to spew invective against people THEY don’t like. Michael Savage has said much worse things than Imus ever did, but he’s carried proudly on local station KNUS, which is owned by a company called Salem which brags about its “Christian” principles. Baloney. What needs to happen is for more decency in public discourse on ALL sides, right and left, talk and music. Go after the Imuses and Savages … and Snoop Dogg too.

Kandace, what would you call when one group can label another group with damaging remarks, but another group can’t utter the same remarks, the dictionary’s definition of double standard!!!

keith maranville

First off,my earlier comment was deleted…why?because I dared ask why a post commentary can say Bill Oriely spewed racist comments when they have no basis for printing that garbage.Slander is slander if from imus or some ignorant commentary writer employed by the post.Will she be fired for her slanderous,baseless accusations i am guessing not.When will the liberal media (the post,the times and so on)stick up for a white man who is slandered?Im guessing never.Should Imus be fired…yes, but only because his sponsors are pulling out because of pressure from upstanding citizens like J. Jackson and A. Sharpton. PLEASE! So before you delete this one POST remember your paper has printed slanderous, baseless comments and continues to do so on a daily basis.

john

Oh come all ye righteous and hear the word from the good Reverends. Please. Imus is and always be irreverent, this is why he was entertaining. He knew he screwed up with his remarks, and he apologized. Maybe execution is the next step, after all we don’t want to leave anyone unappeassed. The real story to come of this isn’t even on the table, yet. Goodbye to the double standard, this means everyone including the good Reverends, who might quit throwing rocks when they realize that their glass houses are next. Watch out Snoop, they are coming to take your bone too….

Sarah

Us old folks didn’t even know what the word ho meant. We had to look it up in the dictionary but couldn’t find it.
The difference in treatment of black and white in the media can possibility hurt Osbama’s run for the high office. Would Jesse be Seceretary of State and Sharpton be Secretary of Defense?
What a mess! I can’t feel sorry for the basketball players when you consider how the Duke students were treated!

Mike

We’re seeing the emergence (maybe its always been there) of selective outrage….based only on the alleged perpetrator’s either race or gender. Racism is evidenced in many ways…including the predisposition by our minorites, especially blacks, to think that any comment or action by another racial group is racist in nature. Its a cop-out, because it eliminates the need for the alleged “victim” to examine his or her actions and possible deficiencies…much easier to just blame someone else in knee jerk fashion. The poster-children for black racism have been quite visible over the last few days, but they ultimately do a disservice to the thinking people of all groups who want to move beyond finger-pointing to resolution.

Hey Kieth . . . your post is still there . . . it’s just probably a different number than when you posted it earlier . . . look up a few.

Jordan

#56 First off, Imus is not a right winger. He is a left leaning Democrat. He was staunchly on the John Kerry Bandwagon nad has done more than his share of Bush-bashing.Personally I don’t care for Imus OR Savage. They spew too much hate.

Mike

Let’s contrast the difference between the way the Rutgers girls were treated and the way the Duke boys were treated. The poor little Rutgers girls were merely insulted. The lives of the Duke boys were almost destroyed. Sharpton and Jackson were visible in both situations, but in different ways. Looks like only based on the race of the individuals involved. What hypocrites.

Ryan Kendall

The debate on weather or not Imus should be fired, should be left up the board. Jackson and Sharpton should stay out of it. Everytime a racial slur is made, or anything else to that effect, they both show up like a pack of wolves. You don’t see them show up when a racial slur is made about a white guy. Example. “Cracker, Honkey…ect.

And to tie music lyrics into it is a huge fallacy. Good point to argue, but a huge fallacy. My final thought. The the girls who he was talking about make the final decision, and see if they will except his sorry…!

Meredith

Wherever you rise up again, IMUS, millions of us will be waiting!

JOHN SMITH

HO!HO!HO! Merry Christmas I-Man,I’ll miss you and Bernard in the AM

jerseycorn

Truthy — I don’t think the problem is with you being white. I think the problem could be that you are obviously a racist. And that is something you should definitely apologize for. Really.

Jennifer

I personally feel that this whole situation has been completely over-dramatized. Imus did not say anything that is not said by most people in that age-range of the players. It could have been a lot worse, and was taken out of character.

CK

Imus admitted he made a mistake and apologized for it.
Has Jesse or Al apologized to the Duke boys for their remarks?I doubt it. Personally,I’m tired of the same old tirades from both of them.

CALVIN SMITH

Regarding Imus- first of all, he is a shock jock. He is paid lots of money to make us think and to raise our hackles. this is why he has ten million listeners. No different from Stern. The big difference between the two jocks is that the I-man is deeply involved with helping children and veterans. Don’t think Stern does that stuff as much. He get big ratings for his show because of his ability to insult people and ask the hard questions. For this CBS has paid him very well. Sharpton and Jackson should be taking on the networks not the employees who bring them the ad money. It starts at the top, these networks have condoned this activity for years and to make the shock jocks the scape goats is B.S.

mark

jerseycorn — Anyone born white in our society learns the unearned privilege white-supremist racism. I was born white, and I grew up learning white supremacy from my average white parents and from our society stained by systemic racism. Unlearning that racism is a never-ending project, but I aim to stay with it. No, Truthy, I do not apologize for being white. Instead, I declare my solidarity with all humans who strive to end the ugliness of racism, sexism, and all forms of hatred in ourselves and in others.

annie

Imus had to go..he was wrong but his leaving really does point out that pointing out racism is often directed only toward white people. In other words the african american community can continue to be racist towards white people. a bigger issue though is the out of control abuse of women by young black men who act like animals in heat ,,both through their song and their actions,,it is really sad to see that,,now maybe the attention will turn towards that open abuse of black women and something good will come out of Imus ignorance. Plus most african americans do not look to Sharpton or Jackson as role models..they have hidden agendas and everyone knows that…

Preacher

Don Imus is not a teacher or spokesman. He is an entertainer who serves at the pleasure of a particular media organization. That media origanization’s audience has a particular set of sensibilities, sensibilities which often have been cultivated by the media organization itself. Perhaps Imus is getting old, because he lost his bearings and upset the delicate sensibilites of his audience. HE’S WHITE. HE’S RICH. HE’LL BE O.K. He’s no martyr. White people are not martyrs in this. Black people whose future is being flushed down the toilet by cynical recording companies; they are the martyrs.

casey

remember when Greg Gumble said the Winter Olympics is “just a bunch of white guys.”

where was the Jackson/Sharpton tirade then?

Truthy

jerseycorn – Please forgive me for confusing your weak little mind. I for get that people like you need that word “racist” to try some kind of power to back up your flawed reasoning. Call me all the names you want, it might help you feel better. Again, please forgive me smallbrain.

word

You make a stupid senseless racist comment on the radio, and you pay the consequences.
A bad joke that only a few disturbed people would laugh at. I think its a good sign that a white guy is getting his just do for picking on a minority group. I am tired of all the bigots bringing our country down all the time.
We should not tolerate this kind of garbage anymore.

Just because Al Sharpton is a hypocrite dose not make it okay for Imus to insult black women.

2 wrongs do not make a right.
Do the math !

Mary

My question for all you folks out there who are playing the ‘race card’ over Imus’ remarks (which started ugly by indicating he was upset that the team actually looked like athletes, not Barbie dolls & with some prodding from an on-air co-worker got uglier) – do you honestly think he would even have considered making similar derogatory remarks about a black MALE team?

Many of the posters here have mentioned the double standard of rappers slamming women (although they never would use the pejorative ‘nappy-headed’ -but that’s because they are slamming ALL women regardless of race) and advocating raping & murdering them (as a woman, I find that MUCH more offensive). I wonder if Snoop Dog would like those lyrics aimed at a woman he cares about.

Another blog commented about the fact that the media is a-buzz about what Katie Couric wears, not the quality of her reporting. Women are demeaned daily in big (the Imus slur) & little (the Couric ‘wardrobe issue) ways – but all most are seeing in the Imus remark is the racial slur. It wouldn’t be because it’s OK to demean women as long as you don’t bring race (or religion or sexual orientation) into the slurs would it?

Truthy

“Sorry, you can only post a new comment once every 15 seconds. Slow down cowboy.”

How professional. You are quite the admin, cowgirl.

Steve

Rutgers’ coach was bragging about how there is a valedictorian on her team- of course, the valedictorian is not black.

Why doesn’t Rutgers post their players academic achievements and majors on their website, along with the reams of basketball stats that are shown?

Why did the Rutgers players wear clothing that covered all their tattoos and change their hairstyles after Imus made his comments?

Tired of college sports players made out to be “the best this nation has to offer”- what BS. They are there to play basketball and that’s it.

Twenty years from now, it will be interesting to see how great the achievements of the Rutgers players are in real life!

CBS- Cowardly Broadcasting Service

I hope Imus signs on with XM/Sirius!

marxymark

Somewhere a white male billionaire is reading a blog like this and laughing. All the rage about racism and sexism, and not a word about the capitalist system that thrives on exploitation of women and people of color around the world. Not a word about how racializing and genderizing people is the perfect divide-and-conquer game pushed on us all by the ruling class. Indeed, racism and sexism are cruel oppressions that must be confronted. But let’s not be blind to the so-called free market system that allows Imus to become a millionaire before he gets in a little trouble.

H.Craig Bradley

Sensibilities, well, I don’t know about that? Many different types of people listen to radio. What happened to Don Imus is nothing less than a lynching, Southern Style, by an angry mob out for revenge. We have alot of unhappy people out their who are chomping at the bit to vent their unhappiness on any hapless fellow who gives them the opportunity of the moment.

Huck

He could start a new show: Imus and Andy!!!

Debbie

I can only say that i hope MSNBC and CBS get their just desserts with low ratings and no viewers. I found that American Express was one of the corporations that first called for Imus to be fired. I have had one of their cards since ’92. I called last night and told them (got a live person) I was doing a protest cancellation of my card and wanted that recorded. I know from some that will seem silly but I felt I wanted to do something and not that it hurt me that much as i have other cards. Amazes me that Rev Al can get away with calling Duke players rapists and worse and NEVER apologize and no seems to go after this irrelevant “leader”. MSNBC and CBS radio are wimps!! They should have waited til after hearing from the team. They accepted apology and didn’t think he should lose his job! Hurrah for them. Sad loss.
PO’d in NH

David

THE SHOCK JOCK GOT HIS JOCK SHOCKED

Ed Gallagher

#44 You are wrong. Rainbow Coalition/Push was founded by Jesse Jackson.

Tadhg

you know this really kills me, here its ok for blacks — ermmm wait i dont want to offend them – afrikanamerikans to call each other hoe’s and nappy headed, amongst many other worse words including the big N. but, let a EuroAmerican use the same words and he/she is a racist. no wonder America is still divided – THEY wont let it go…

marxymark

Tadhg, it IS different when the offensive words come from the mouth of a white person. It’s an issue of power. In our country’s history black people did not enslave white people. We are barely 40 years beyond 300 years of slavery followed by 100 years of legal segregation (apartheid). There is a legacy to that near history, and there is still a lot of healing to be done.

wowlfie

Our country is such a hypocrit. It allows one race to shout epithets around we consider vulgar but then if another race does it it’s obscence. It’s nothing more than two faced hypocrisy. Either outlaw words that generally are considered offensive and apply it to EVERYONE or it must be ALLOWED by EVERYONE. Our country was founded on the foundation of freedom of speech and this hypocrisy of allowing one race to use offensive words–even at themselves–and not another–no matter how hurtful–is ridiculous and only tears a country apart. America will fail completely if it keeps allowing hypocrisy of it’s own foundations.

Deezan777

Crucify him!

Cactus

The firing of Imus is the best thing that could happen for the Republican Party. Get that LIberal Democrat off the air.

Black radical

Don Imus is a racist and that’s that’s. Given the history of racism in the U.S. and Canada or for that matter by Europeans and their descendants against non-white in various parts of this earth, what ever gives Don Imus (a white man) the right to think that he can refer to black women as nappy hair HOs. Many white people can not or do not want to see this. To attack rap artists (and I am appalled at some of their lyrics) for using these words is just an attempt to muddy the waters and deflect blame from Don Imus. Before we think that those cooperations did the morally right thing in firing Don Imus let us realize that he was fire only after advertisers withdrew from the show. The decision to fire Imus was a business decision- pure and simple.

Hank

It was not so much the comments he made, as it was as it was that they clearly did not seem to fit the ladies on that team. I’m not sure if the punishment fit the crime, but at least on television, I found him to be rather dull…

jon

Black radical, remeber you have a right to be offended.

michael

Gee a business decision affecting other business decisions who would of thunk it?

I’m glad I’m not held to such high standards of accountability for all the stupid things I’ve said or done in my past…

His comments were ill conceived and ill spoken, but I hardly see him as advocating the repression of any group. Nor have I seen him dressed in KKK attire.

I do see a lot of belly aching and adults cring like children because they’re feelings have been hurt. The PC police…what a bunch of panzees!

Rich

I think it is terrible how Blacks get so offended when whites say anything bad about them, but black rappers can say things much worse than Don Imus’ comments, and they have no problem with that. Appears to be a double standard there.

a-right

Personally, I plan on moving to the Denver area in a matter of months and all I can say from reading this blog and the “Should Gays Adopt?” blog, I can sum up that you are all bigots. I am a gay woman and I couldn’t care less what some bigoted people have to say. Grow up. I hope you have achieved your goal of letting out your out of line cranky side.

old school

Now that CBS has fired Imus the execs better make the next move and drop all the rap record labels that glorify violence and “dis” women and whoever they damn well please.

Futherhmore they need to set up a fund for Sharpton and Jackson to run for presidential ticket………in Iraq!

I’ll donatee the first $1000 for their boatride!

George Skirkanich

Imus has gotten away with this for so long, that it’s about time this hen came home to roost. He deserved to be fired years ago. I agree with the people who say blacks in the media are largely to blame for bringing this kind of poison into the popular culture to begin with, but that doesn’t excuse him. No matter what anyone says, that kind of remark takes on a whole new meaning coming from a white man and blacks are going to be offended by it, justifiably so. I think black consumers should put equal pressure on record labels about this thing, but I can’ say I’m sorry to see Imus go. Besides, with that bushy eyebrow thing he’s got going on, he’s got a lot of nerve calling anyone else nappy headed.

Dudek Wahrheit

I was a daily and regular viewer of Imus. That was my source of world and information outlet with serious and reputable quests, valuable information and a sense of shock jock humor which sometimes made me laugh tears other times made me think ooh that’s bad. Jokes were made on and about everything and everybody!!! Even his young son took a crack at dad by asking Imus on the air “…so Dad WHEN are you going to Iraq?,” being annoyed by his Dads nasty mood that day. Imus laughed at that. Everybody did! We all did.

Also why be so opinionated about his dismissal if some of you didn’t even listen to Imus. Why judge a comment taken out of context and ignoring that it is a live 3 hour long daily show for some 30 years. Wouldn’t we all goof up at one point or another.It’s further obvious to me that the redundant repetition of Rev. Al of the words has caused a far greater negative imprint or stigmatization and more damage than the juvenile, ill-placed and inappropriate comments by Mr. Imus that morning.

…no paste this link in your web browser and listen to the podcasts at the bottom of the site and see the role-plays they all took on in his show and the abuse they permitted on themselves on a daily basis(listen to end of Nagin).OK that’s that!

Next, I am disgusted at the wussies at CBS, NBC, MSNBC , ..etc. They have betrayed millions of us loyal viewers and listeners by depriving us of the right to free press and free speech. I have taken his suspension so very personally that after years of distant thoughts about the hypocrites at FOX news, as my form of protest, I have stopped watching MSNBC but rather now turn the dial to my former opponents. I know, it sounds strange doesn’t it? But that’s what the whole controversy did to me as loyal, white male, Imus & MSNBC FAN!

Let’s face it CBS and MSNBC, the only reason I endure these stupid and redundant pharmaceutical commercials about erectile dysfunction or constipation is only because I look forward to the next segment of Imus and care to listen to him. It’s not the other way around. You have high paying advertisers interested because IMUS has his fans and listeners!!! And not the other way around.
Further the betrayals of MSNBC’s own commentators and peoples is absurd and disappointing. He got hung out there for a lynching.

Yeah, African-Americans need voices and representations to stand up for and to help you overcome the past but those two bitter Reverends are not the best choices. They are noise makers. When Katrina happened, I do not remember seeing those well dressed Reverends on so often on news shows and appearing down in the South as frequently and as strongly voiced as now!? They still owe those lacrosse players an apology.

We need to continue to work on our culture and race issues and reduce the degree of hippocricy. I was watching Oprah 4/16 and she has a second segment on today. That’s the correct and compelling way to hold a healthy discussion for us all. And not the snake poison approach.

By the way, White Christian Males have pains, too! Tolerance and respect for others is a tough and sensitive thing. The Jewish community impedes on my right and pride each year to celebrate Christmas freely and I am forced to endure their religious customs. According to news briefs 90% of us celebrate Christmas in one way or another. Considering that the Senate needs 51 votes to call itself a majority and decides with that “majority” to pass a law or a resolution. Why does a 90% majority have to bow to a 10% or less minority and deal with the headache of rather the town’s public Xmas tree is proportionally fair to e.g. the size of the Menorah. And rather or not I offend anybody by wishing them a Merry Christmas. Those are my problems and local issues each year. Those are my pains. This year s.o. wants to take away the Easter Bunny! How am I going to explain my kids that!!? Now I can’t even listen to my favorite comedic news show in the morning because Al Rourker complained !? Yet I get called a racist, the same time I get laughed at because I belong to the 80% of the white folk who occasionally buy that women-demeaning rap.

It’s tough… out there.

PS (And please lets stop all the Polish Jokes. They are insensitive discriminative. Mariah, I know you’ve done stupid things but are you POLISH?!)

person unknown

… A step in the right direction… Now if we could get rid of Howard Stern, that would be a real accomplishment! I can’t stand most shock jocks. They’re just there to twist the news, and to piss people off. I prefer to get my news from reliable sources.

bobaloo

if Imus had picked on someone his own size he would’nt be out of a job. He should have stuck with celeb bashing.

If Mike Tyson walked up to some kid on the corner and beat the crap out of him we all would have a problem -if Mike Tyson beats up another boxer in the ring then it’s fair.

cowboy

It’s too bad that Don Igmoramus did not insult a Women’s Rodeo Team instead of the Rutgers Pompom Girls. I would have liked to seen the varmint roped, branded, draged through the cactus, and maybe even turned into a steer!

ramgoonis

Number 1: I thought the question posed here was, “NOw that Imus is fired, what should or will happen.” Not “What are your personal feelings about Don Imus?” Or, “What is your opinion about Don Imus’ termination?”

I am curious about the divide in opinion. Is it a truely gender or racial divide? Did most african americans and women call for his termination, while most white american men rallied behind Imus? Or is it simply those who watched him, “understood” him. And, those who didn’t watch “misunderstood” him.

Has anyone tuned into MSNBC this week to see how they are addressing the timeslot? I was shocked to see Smerconish’s silmulcast. I’m sure Kapas stated he wanted to change the direction of MSNBC. I don’t know about anyone else, but i took this to mean employing a more diverse staff. I guess replacing and Old cowpoke with a younger urban type fits the decription of divercity.

Personally I do not care who they replace Imus with. I doubt I’ll watch. I am personally disappointed in MSNBC and CBS radio. They lost an amazing opportunity to cultivate any meaningful racial discusions by firing Imus. Those of us who watched him know that whenever he felt strogly about an issue, he would attack that issue like a pit bull. He had and still can effect great change in attitudes and actions.

I hope he will continue his career, and continue to give controversial issues a voice.
It has been about a month since this controversy, and again our adhd nation has moved on to other things. Has anything really changed as a result of Imus’ firing?

dan the man

i feel that a demonstration needs to be organized to protest the al sharpton radio talk show and demand he be fired for his racist remarks just like he does to white guys. he needs to get a taste of his own medicine and then we’ll see if he still feels its ok to take away another person’s livelihood.